Clinton seeks tighter US-Gulf cooperation on Iran

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks to US Embassy personnel at a hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Saturday March 31, 2012. The Obama administration is seeking to advance talks among Saudi Arabia and its neighbors on a missile defense system against Iran, while slowing any plans among Arab Gulf states to intervene militarily in Syria. (AP Photo//Brendan Smialowski, Pool)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States seeks improved strategies with Arab Gulf states on maritime security and missile defense to counter the threat of Iran.

Clinton says the U.S. and Gulf governments share concerns about Iran's nuclear activity and interference in the affairs of Arab countries. She is telling them that partnership with the U.S. has "enormous potential" to advance common interests.

Clinton spoke Saturday at a security conference in Saudi Arabia. She said U.S. commitment to the Gulf is "rock-solid and unwavering."

Clinton met Friday for almost two hours with Saudi King Abdullah to discuss issues from oil market stability to pressuring President Bashar Assad to halt his regime's violence in Syria.

Clinton attends a 60-nation conference on Syria in Istanbul on Sunday.